Struggling Atlanta United aim to surprise Sounders

Wrapping up a three-game homestand, slumping Atlanta United is in desperate need of a rare victory on Saturday against the visiting Seattle Sounders.

Atlanta (4-11-8, 20 points) has gone seven consecutive matches (0-4-3) without a win, last earning the full three points on May 28 in a 3-2 victory over Orlando City SC.

Last time out, Atlanta flirted with a home win against Charlotte FC, jumping out to a 1-0 lead on Tristan Muyumba's first goal this season, before allowing three straight goals in a 3-2 loss.

In a frustrating season for Atlanta and first-year head coach Ronny Deila, it's time to start taking blame from all angles.

"We showed no character. That is what I would describe it as. That's on me," Deila said of Atlanta's loss to Charlotte. "You can blame everybody, but in the end, it is me who is responsible for this."

Atlanta, which has allowed the fourth-most goals (43) in the league and has the fourth-worst goal differential (minus-16), has scored multiple goals in back-to-back outings for the first time since its only winning streak of the year, from May 25-28.

Emmanuel Latte Lath scored against Charlotte and leads the team with seven goals on the season, while Miguel Almiron, Aleksey Miranchuk and Jamal Thiare each add three apiece.

Seattle (10-6-7, 37 points) is on the other side of the spectrum, as the Sounders will look to extend a five-game stretch (3-0-2) without a loss. Seattle has scored three goals in three straight games, including a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.

Danny Musovski netted a pair of goals in the win to help propel the Sounders up the Western Conference table. Seattle currently sits fourth in the West, with a chance to inch further against a vulnerable Atlanta defense.

"They are still a dangerous team. They can score goals," Seattle coach Brian Schmetzer said of Atlanta. "But their defending has been kind of their Achilles heel, and we'll look to try and exploit that this weekend."

Saturday will mark the first meeting between the clubs since August 2023, a 2-0 Atlanta win in Seattle.

--Field Level Media